The Philippine Navy’s new warship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, began sea trials on Monday, according to GMA News.
The ship set sail from North Charleston, South Carolina at 8:30 a.m. Monday (US time).
BRP Ramon Alcaraz was subjected to refurbishment and refitting which cost $15.15 million.
The maintenance started last year.
The Philippine Navy’s Capt. Elson Aguilar said that they want to make sure everything is in place before the ship finally heads home.
The ship was commissioned in 1968 and served in the US Coast Guard as the USCGC Dallas.
It is the second Hamilton-class vessel acquired by the Philippine Navy, while the first vessel, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15), was handed over to the Navy in May 2011.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, May 21, 2013